44 rebels from NPA faction turn in

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga: Forty-four members of the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan (RHB), a breakaway group of the communist New Peoples’ Army (NPA), on Monday surrendered to the military through the mayor of Santa Ana town here.

Mayor Edilberto Gambao said the 44 rebels, including some women, also turned in their firearms to the Philippine Army’s Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom).

The returnees, who had operated in the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal, coordinated with the newly elected Gamboa for their surrender.

The Santa Ana mayor, also a former communist rebel himself, surrendered in 2004 to now Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff, Gen. Ricardo Visaya.

Known as “Commander Ross” in the underground, Gamboa said he promised to help his former comrades in their decision to surrender.

The names of the returnees were not disclosed pending the processing of requirements for their surrender.

They were presented to Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, who assured them of livelihood assistance during a ceremony at the provincial capitol also on Monday.